Sinn Féin has been rocked by the resignation of a second party councillor in Cork East as a major internal party dispute continues to rage.

June Murphy, a Mitchelstown-based councillor who represents the Fermoy area, has said she had been unavoidably caught up in the acrimonious party row.

"I would like to take this opportunity to announce my resignation from the Sinn Féin party. I have not taken this decision lightly and have only come to it after many months of soul searching," she said.

Her departure follows that of Cllr Kieran McCarthy, from Cobh, who left the party during the summer. He will contest the General Election as an Independent candidate.

In June, Mr McCarthy was expelled from the party and Kanturk-based Cllr Melissa Mullane was suspended, following an internal dispute that also involved Sinn Féin TD Sandra McLellan. Mr McCarthy was subsequently offered temporary reinstatement but declined it.

Ms Mullane, who had her suspension lifted, said she found her time in the party to be "an increasingly negative experience".

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said they were sorry to see Cllr Murphy leave the party but said she should return her seat to the party.